Cosmetic composition containing lanolin and hexadecyl alcohol



United States Patent 3,422,204 COSMETIC COMPOSITION CONTAINING LANO- LIN AND HEXADECYL ALCOHOL Walter W. Edman, New York, N.Y., assignor to Esso Research and Engineering Company, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Nov. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 323,229 US. Cl. 424-361 6 Claims Int. Cl. A61k 7/00 This invention relates to a novel additive for cosmetic formulations. More particularly this invention relates to novel solubilizing agents for lanolin in cosmetic compositions. In a preferred embodiment this invention is concerned with the utilization of hexadecyl alcohol as an emollient and as a solubilizing agent for lanolin.

Lanolin has long been one of the most favored emollients and skin conditioner-s for a wide variety of cosmetic formulations. Thus, this material has been employed in varying amounts in such compositions as hair conditioners, ba-by oils and lotions, bath oils and lotions, suntan oils and lotions, shaving preparations, lipsticks and a variety of creams. The solubility of lanolin in the light, medium and heavy grade mineral oils with which it is commonly employed is less than 1 percent. Thus, the use of larger quantities of lanolin, which is desirable in many applications, results in formulations which are turbid due to precipitation. To avoid this turbidity and thereby improve the esthetic effect of the consumer products, the prior art formulations have employed lanolin derivatives, such as polyoxyethylated lanolin, isopropyl esters of lanolin and acetylated lanolin as solubilizing agents for lanolin. Although these derivatives possess some degree of emolliency, their utilization necessarily increases the expense of the cosmetic formulation. In addition to the use of lanolin derivatives, prior art formulations have also included such materials as isopropyl myristate and isopropyl palmitate, both of which possess emollient properties and will solubilize lanolin to the extent of 8 and weight percent respectively.

It has now been discovered that certain liquid alcohols and relatively inexpensive group of solubilizing agents for lanolin.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel solubilizing agent for lanolin which possesses effective emollient properties.

It has now been discovered that certain liquid alcohols are effective solubilizing agents for lanolin. Thus, C to C preferably C to C both linear and branched chain saturated alcohols have been found to solubilize lanolin to the extent of approximately 5 weight percent. An even more surprising feature of this invention is the discovery that the combination of these alcohols with mineral oils results in the solubilization of greater quantities of lanolin than either the alcohol or the mineral oil alone can effectively solubilize. It therefore appears that the combination of an alcohol with mineral oil results in a synergistic solubilizing effect which was heretofore unobtainable when employing the lanolin derivatives and esters described above.

A further surprising feature of this invention is the discovery that hexadecyl alcohol not only acts as a solubilizing agent for lanolin but also possesses unique properties which make it useful as a non-greasy emollient in a wide variety of costmetic formulations. These properties include low volatility and an exceptionally low cloud point and freezing point (both below minus 60 F.) thereby reducing the tendency for forming turbid solutions. The saturated branched chain configuration of hexadecyl alcohol is a stable structure which is resistant to oxidative degradation and color formation. Unlike commonly used esters, hexadecyl alcohol is not subject 3,422,204 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 "ice to hydrolysis. In addition, this alcohol has been found in preliminary tests to be no more irritating to human skin than commonly used isopropyl myristate or isopropyl palmitate. Thus, hexadecyl alcohol has been found to be equivalent or superior to the above-mentioned esters in a wide variety of cosmetic formulations.

The hexadecyl alcohol employed in these cosmetic formulations may be prepared by a combined carbonylation and dimerization reaction. Thus, a C olefin is reacted at elevated temperatures and pressures with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of carbonylation and dimerization catalysts. The C aldehyde obtained from this reaction is thereafter hydrogenated by conventional means to yield hexadecyl alcohol. After careful processing to insure the high purity necessary for cosmetic formulations, the hexadecyl alcohol may typically have the following properties:

TABLE I Typical physical properties of hexadecyl alcohol Hydroxyl No., mg. K'OH/ g. 220 Carbonyl No., mg. KOH/g. 0.2 Specific gravity, 20/20 C. 0.842 Boiling range, C./50 mm 195-205 Freezing point, F -'60 Iodine No., cg. I /g. 0.2 Water, weight percent 0.1 Color, (Pt-Co.) 5 Odor Negligible This invention contemplates the utilization of formulations containing a C to C saturated alcohol with 0.1 to 5 weight percent, and preferably 2 to 5 weight percent, based on said alcohol, of lanolin dissolved therein and resulting in a clear homogeneous solution. In another embodiment, this invention contemplates the use of C to C saturated alcohols containging 0.1 to 5 weight percent, preferably 2 to 5 weight percent, lanolin dissolved therein. In yet another embodiment, this invention contemplates the use of formulations comprising C to C preferably C to C saturated alcohols, mineral oil and lanolin. In these latter formulations, the weight ratio of mineral oil to alcohol may be in the range of 1:100 to :1, preferably 1:4 to 4:1, e.g. lz'l. Lanolin will be dissolved therein in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based on the total mixture, so as to obtain a clear homogeneous solution.

In one preferred embodiment, this invention contemplates the preparation of cosmetic formulations comprising hexadecyl alcohol with about 0.1 to 6 weight percent, preferably 2 to 5 weight percent, of lanolin, based on the total solution, dissolved therein so as to obtain a clear homogeneous solution.

In another preferred embodiment, this invention contemplates the use of cosmetic formulations comprising hexadecyl alcohol, mineral oil and lanolin. In these formulations, the weight ratio of mineral oil to alcohol may be in the range of 1:100 to 100:1, preferably 1:4 to 4:1, e.g. 1:1. Lanolin will be dissolved in the alcoholimineral oil mixture in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 16 weight percent, based on the total solution, so as to obtain a clear homogeneous solution.

It is to be understood that the above-described formulations may vary widely within the ranges specified and that in addition to the above-specified ingredients, the formulations may contain conventional amounts of other cosmetic ingredients, such as alcohols, waxes, esters, perfumes and coloring agents which are commonly employed in the manufacture of the various liquid and solid cosmetic formulations.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following examples:

3 4 Example 1 Sun tan oil: The alcohols and 1:1 weight ratio alcohol-mineral oil gzfg fig fl gg g fa-t "g" 9 formulations listed below were tested to determine the perfuline I i"LIIIIIIIIILI:

solubility of lanolin therein. In each instance, the weight percent of lanolin, based on the total solution was added 5 These results indicate the eilectiveness of hexadecyl to the proposed solubilizing agent and allowed to stand alcohol as a cosmetic ingredient, i.e. an emollient.

for 96 hours at 77 F. The solutions were then examined Exam le4 and rated as either clear (C) or preclpltated (P). The p lanolin employed in the experiment was deodorized AAA A test p g havlng P followlng fofmulatlofl Was grade Anhydrous Lanolin USP and the mineral oil was P p III thlS lfonnulatlon, Y alcohol rellllaced USP light mineral oil. The results are summarized below: Castor 011 which 18 a common mgredwnt 1n cosmetlcs of this type. TABLE 11 Test Lipstick Percent lanolin added Ingredient Grams lu i agent 5 m Lanolin 7'0 (oxwhexylalcohol C P P Petrolatum (alba-whlte) 12.0 x0; eity apO n mmeIMenm 8 8 Hexadecyl alcohol 46.0

X0 60 800 0 (0x0) decylaleohollmtneralollld G C C Candehna Branched dodecyl alcohol C O P Carnauba wax 11.5 Branched dodecyl alcohol/mineralolll C C O Steal-i0 acid 5 0 (0x0) llnear C10 alcohol C C P (8x0; linear 810 alcohol/mineral 0111 1 8 8 (I) Cetyl alcohol 1.5 (023) 11332?e12fiififih iisiilitaiaiii2i:::::::::: o o o Butyl Siearate T Isopropyl palmitate 3.5 Antioxidant 0.02 The results rndlcate that the combination of mineral Citric acid 0006 oil and alcohol has a definite synergistic eifect on the solubility of lanolin since as previously mentioned, mingfl i gif with candehua wax to impart more hardness to f alone dlssolves less than 1 Weight Percent of The test lipstick proved to be a high quality lipstick ano that was more easily applied than a similar castor oil Example 2 3O formulation, according to the test panel, and had mini- In the following table (Table III), hexadecyl alcohol m-urn friction or drag with good staying power and n0 (HDA), hexadecyl stearate (HDS), isopropyl myristate undesirable smearing or bleeding characteristics.

(IPM), isopropyl palmitate (IPR), mineral oil (MO) and Having thus described the general nature and specific combinations of mineral oil with the a bove-menti0ned embodiments of the invention, the true scope will now bevv compounds in specified Weight ratios were tested as solupointed out by the appended claims.

bilizing agents for lanolin. The grades of mineral oil and What is claimed is:

lanolin were the same as specified in Example 1. In each 1. A composition of matter consisting essentially of a test, the specified weight ratio of lanolin was admixed with clean homogeneous solution of saturated branched hexathe solubilizing agent and allowed to stand at a temdecyl alcohol having a freezing point of 60 F. and a perature of 77 F. for a period of 96 hours. The solutions boiling range at millimeter pressure of 195 to 205 C. were observed at the end of this period and were classified with 0.1 to 5 wt. percent of lanolin based on said alcohol clear (C) or hazy (H). dissolved therein.

TABLE IIL-SOLUBILITY 0F LANOLIN Percent lanolin solubility 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ll 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Hexadecyl alcohol (HDA) C C C O C C H H H H H H Hexadecyl stearate (HDS) C C C C H H H H H H Mineral oll (M0) H H H H H Isopropyl myrlstate (IPM) Isopropyl palmitate (IPP) MO/HDA (75:2

MO/HDS 75: 25) MO/HDS (50:50)

' C MO/IPM (505 50) C MO/IPM (25275) l C-Olear, H-Haze; deodorized AAA grade, anhydrous lanolln USP, Robinson Wagner Company, Inc. 2 USP light mineral oil.

The results indicate both the solubility of lanolin in 2. A composition of matter consisting essentially of a hexadecyl alcohol and the synergistic efiect on solubility clear homogeneous solution of saturated branched hexaof mineral oil alcohol mixtures. decyl alcohol having a freezing point of F. and a boiling range at 50 millimeter pressure of 1959 to 205 Exam? 163 C., a mineral oil and lanolin, the Weight ratio of said In the followlng 6051mm formulatlofisi hexadecyl hexadecyl alcohol to said mineral oil being in the range alcohol was substituted for isopropyl mynstate and was f 1:100 to 100:1 and Said lanolin being present in an found to be a satisfactory substitute by a test panel when amount ranging from about 0.1 to 10 Wt. percent based tested against the control.

on the total solution.

B h i]; 3. A composition in accordance with claim 2 wherein Hexadecyl alcohol g 90 said weight ratio of said hexadecyl alcohol to mineral oil SDA 40 ethyl alcohol g 5 is in the range of 1:4 to 4:1.

Perfume l 4.5 4. A clear, homogeneous cosmetic composition con- Color (0.2% in mineral oil) mL. 0.5 sisting essentially of saturated branched hexadecyl alcohol having a freezing point of -60 F. and a boiling range at 50 millimeter pressure of 195 to 205 C. with about 0.1 to 6 wt. percent of lanolin, based on the total solution, dissolved therein.

5. A cosmetic composition consisting essentially of a 5 clear homogeneous solution of saturated branched hexadecyl alcohol having -a freezing point of 60 F. and a boiling range at 50 millimeter pressure of 195 to 205 C., a mineral oil and lanolin, the weight ratio of said hexadecyl alcohol to said mineral oil being in the range of 1:100 to 100:1 and said lanolin being present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 16 wt. percent based on the total solution.

6. The composition of claim 5 wherein said weight ratio of said hexadecyl alcohol to said mineral oil is in the range of 1:4 to 4:1.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,661,316 12/1953 Martin 16790 2,942,008 6/1960 Lu'bowe 16794 XR 3,052,608 9/1962 Hirsh 16785 XR 10 ALBERT T. MYERS, Primary Examiner.

D. R. MAHANAND, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 42460, 64 

1. A COMPOSITION OF MATTER CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A CLEAN HOMOGENEOUS SOLUTION OF SATURATED BRANCHED HEXADECYL ALCOHOL HAVING A FREEZING POINT OF -60*F. AND A BOILING RANGE AT 50 MILLIMETER PRESSURE OF 195* TO 205*C. WITH 0.1 TO 5 WT. PERCENT OF LANOLIN BASED ON SAID ALCOHOL DISSOLVED THEREIN. 